Impressive Start for India in Manchester
On Day 1 of the 4th Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, India’s new-look opening pair of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal delivered a commanding 94-run partnership against England. Their confident start helped India settle at 264/4 by the end of play, taking the pressure off the rest of the batting line-up.
Aakash Chopra’s High Praise for the Openers
Former India cricketer and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra highlighted the duo’s maturity and composure, going as far as to say, “We haven’t missed Rohit Sharma that much because both Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul have done a phenomenal job.”
Key points from Chopra’s remarks:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Selectivity: Chopra noted Jaiswal’s cautious, thoughtful approach, praising how he was “very, very selective about the shots to play.”
- KL Rahul’s Unfortunate Dismissal: While Rahul missed out on a deserved half-century, Chopra stressed the overall “significant opening partnership.”
- Adaptability Under Pressure: Batting first in overcast English conditions against a quality pace attack, the duo ensured India lost no wickets in the first session—a rare feat for Indian openers in England.
- Historical Significance: Chopra emphasized that such a solid first-session opening stand by Indian batters in England had not happened in a very long time.
Numbers Back the Duo
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: 58 runs from 107 deliveries, anchoring the start with composure.
- KL Rahul: 46 runs off 98 balls, playing through challenging swing until dismissed by Chris Woakes.
- Series Performances: Jaiswal has now scored 291 runs at an average of 41.57, while KL Rahul stands out with 421 runs at a remarkable average of 60.14, which includes two centuries and a half-century.
What It Means for Team India
The strong, patient opening partnership not only set the tone for the innings but also eased the batting order into the game. With Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur at the crease, India aims to capitalize further as the Test progresses, while England will look to strike early on Day 2.
Chopra’s comments sum up the general sentiment: with performances like these, India’s transition at the top has been seamless and reassuring—even in the absence of a stalwart like Rohit Sharma.
